With my nine meridians taken away, I will prove my invincibility with the Demon Seed!

Qin Yi wanted to speak with Ma Rulong privately.

Ma Rulong nodded, since the results of the second round of competition wouldn't be out anytime soon anyway.

The two left the square and returned to Ma Rulong's manor in the Heavenly Ranking Space.

Ma Rulong said in a deep voice, "I know what you want to say."

"You're worried that I'll eventually lose to Ma Shang and then I won't be able to keep my promise to give you seven thousand Three Lives Stones, right?"

"Don't worry, I will always do what I say I will do."

"This matter will have to be postponed a little longer. I will find another way to deliver the seven thousand Three Lives Stones to you, ensuring that not a single one is missing!"

Qin Yi said, "Of course I believe in Brother Rulong's character. I'd like to ask, how confident are you of winning, Brother Rulong?"

After thinking for a moment, Ma Rulong said, "Although Qin Jiyang's strength exceeded my expectations, we still have an advantage of an hour in the second round."

"Even if Qin Jiyang can lead his men to catch up, they can't possibly surpass us by much in the second round."

"The key is still the third round, where my team will face off against Ma Shang's team."

"My strength is much higher than my ranking on the Heavenly Ranking. If I were to fight Qin Jiyang one-on-one, the outcome would be about 50/50."

Qin Yi nodded, believing that Ma Rulong had not exaggerated his abilities.

Qin Jiyang's talent is certainly not bad, but Ma Rulong's talent is even better. He is at the fourth level of the Great Saint Realm and also possesses forbidden-level divine abilities and has mastered forbidden-level inheritances.

Ma Rulong wasn't absolutely certain he could suppress Qin Jiyang; at best, he could only restrain him. But the other side also had some prodigies who were difficult to deal with.

Qin Yi said, "Brother Rulong, if you trust me, choose me for the third challenge. I'll cooperate with you to defeat Qin Jiyang!"

Ma Rulong's face showed deep shock.

Although Qin Yi was strong, in his opinion, he wasn't that ridiculously strong...

Ma Rulong fell silent, staring at Qin Yi for a long while before finally saying, "Okay, I believe you!"

Since Qin Yi also possesses the combat power of the Heavenly Ranking, replacing someone on a list he already had in mind with Qin Yi wouldn't have a significant impact.

What if... Qin Yi really can bring about a miracle?

After all, even now, Ma Rulong still can't see through Qin Yi.

Moreover, he sensed a sense of confidence from Qin Yi's tone and expression!

Qin Yi said, "In that case, I'll exit the Heavenly Ranking Space first and go bring in some treasures."

He only had a heavy sword in his hand, which was a transformation of the Tianjun Sword.

To increase Ma Rulong's chances of winning and obtain the seven thousand Three Lives Stones as soon as possible, Qin Yi needed to make some preparations.

Ma Rulong reminded everyone, "There are certain restrictions in the third level. Each person can only bring a maximum of two treasures and a small amount of pills."

Qin Yi hummed in agreement and said, "Understood."

After discussing with Ma Rulong, Qin Yi immediately exited the Heavenly Ranking Space.

……

Away from Mars.

The cultivation room attached to Qin Yi's residence.

Qin Yi, who was sitting cross-legged, opened his eyes, his gaze flickering, and murmured, "I don't want to reveal my identity while I'm in the Heavenly Ranking Space, so it's not advisable to activate the Nine Yang Divine Body's innate divine power."

"There are many other methods, but we must use them as little as possible."

"With my physical strength and the Nine Heavens Thunder Sound Sword Technique, I can handle ordinary situations without much trouble, but helping Ma Rulong win this competition... seems a bit difficult."

Qin Yi's thoughts raced. The next moment, he raised his hand and flipped it over. A storage ring flashed, and a round bead appeared in his palm.

It was the mid-grade divine artifact, the Illusionary Heart Divine Pearl, that the Fox Clan Chief had previously gifted to him.

In the final round of the competition between Ma Rulong and Ma Shang, each person is limited to bringing two treasures.

Qin Yi needs a sword.

Secondly, he will use the Illusionary Heart Pearl!

Anyway, there are no restrictions on the grade of the treasure.

Qin Yi estimated that with his own spiritual power and by activating the Soul-Severing Three Lives Secret Technique, he should be able to unleash a portion of the power of the Illusionary Heart Divine Pearl in a short period of time.

A mid-grade divine artifact will undoubtedly be extremely effective in this level of competition.

As for the others, it's highly unlikely they would be carrying a mid-grade divine artifact.

It's not that they lack the resources, but rather that cultivators at the Great Saint Realm who attempt to activate a mid-grade divine artifact will only end up shooting themselves in the foot!

Qin Yi immediately seized the time, activated the Heavenly Artifact Technique, and refined the Illusionary Heart Divine Pearl, striving to make it easier to use this item.

Most of the day has passed.

Qin Yi reappeared in the Heavenly Ranking Space, now transformed into a bearded man wielding a heavy sword.

With a thought, a screen of light appeared before him.

Name: Sword Master

Cultivation level: Sixth level of Initial Saint

Rank: 10th on the local list

Basic certification: Permanent

Total points: 105,879

Remaining points: 100,122

Basic Storage Space: Illusionary Heart Pearl

Special item: Identity card (one)

……

Looking at the Illusionary Heart Pearl placed in his storage space, Qin Yi's face showed a faint smile.

Although it can only be used for a short time.

But if you seize the right opportunity, you can turn the tide!

He rushed to meet up with Ma Rulong as quickly as possible.

When Qin Yi reappeared in that huge square, he noticed that Ma Rulong's expression was very strange.

Ma Shang was no longer in the square.

Meanwhile, the prodigies on the Heavenly Ranking that Ma Shang had previously sent into the secret realm to hunt down the Flowing Light Flying Eagle have already emerged from the secret realm.

In addition, the eldest elder of the Ma family has also disappeared.

Qin Yi immediately made a judgment in his mind.

It seems that the opponent has come from behind in the second round of competition, and now Ma Shang has led his team to start attacking the third round!

"Brother Rulong, how long have they been gone?" Qin Yi asked.

Ma Rulong looked at Qin Yi who had returned and said in a deep voice, "It's been about half an hour."

Qin Yi frowned slightly.

Ma Rulong took a deep breath and said, "Don't rush, the third level won't be so easy to pass. We still have a chance!"

At this point, there's no use in being anxious.

The person Ma Rulong chose is still inside the secret realm of the second level and has not yet come out.

I waited for another fifteen minutes or so.

Finally, Xiaoxiao led her team out.

Of the twenty-five prodigies who entered the secret realm, only fourteen have emerged.

Moreover, the fourteen who came out looked quite disheveled, all of them with injuries.

Many of these wounds were not inflicted by fighting with monsters; they were clearly inflicted by the enemy's forces.

Xiao Xiao flew to Ma Rulong and said, "Young Master Rulong, I apologize for the delay... Here are one hundred demon cores of the Flowing Light Flying Eagle. Let's begin the third stage!"

Ma Rulong immediately accepted the hundred demon cores and said, "Thank you all for your hard work."

He didn't say anything more about gratitude, and immediately read out ten names.

These ten people will join him in the third challenge.

But when the last name was read out, everyone was stunned.

Because the last name he uttered was... Sword Master!

Although they only produced fourteen prodigies from the Heavenly Rankings, that was enough to select ten who still possessed fighting power.

"Young Master Rulong, I can still join the battle!" said a man with the cultivation of the second level of the Great Saint Realm, ranked 853rd on the Heavenly Ranking.

Ma Rulong looked at the man, patted him on the shoulder, and said, "You've done enough. Now just focus on recovering!"

The man frowned slightly, then nodded and said, "Then I will follow Young Master Rulong's arrangements."

Although the others didn't understand Ma Rulong's choice either, it was ultimately Ma Rulong's decision, and since he had already made it, no one could say anything more.

"Now, I ask for your help!"

Ma Rulong faced the ten people and solemnly bowed with his hands clasped.

Xiao Xiao said, "Young Master Ru Long, let's set off quickly!"

Ma Rulong nodded.

His gaze met Qin Yi's briefly before he turned and led the group to attempt the third challenge!

……